A new bill was passed in the State of California where, by July 1,2011, homeowners are required to install carbon monoxide devices in their homes. The authors of the bill entitled SB 183, the Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Act of 2010, hope to prevent accidental sickness and deaths relating to carbon monoxide poisoning through detection and education by increasing public awareness.
Who does this requirement apply to?
• Existing Single Family Residences
• Where appliances burn fossil fuels (e.g. coal, kerosene, oil, wood, fuel gases, and other petroleum or hydrocarbon products).
• Where the home has a fireplace or an attached garage
Detector
• According to the senate bill, the detector must sound an audible warning once carbon monoxide is detected. It also must be powered by a battery, or if it is plugged in, have a battery for a backup. The detector also must be certified by national testing labs, such as the Underwriters Laboratories. The packaging on the carbon monoxide detector will state this. If the CO detector is also a smoke detector, it must still meet the above standards and must sound an alarm that is different than the smoke alarm. Carbon monoxide detectors typically can be purchased for about $20 and up.
Exceptions
• Although the law targets units that are occupied by humans, the law exempts state and local government property, as well as property owned by the University of California Regents. The law requires local jurisdictions to comply; however, they may amend their current ordinances to fall more in line with the law.
Penalties:
• Notice to Comply within 30 days
• $200.00 fine
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